Vocabulary

Activity

How is chemical energy part of this machine?[anno: Chemical energy is part of this machine because the dog, in order to power its muscles, must convert food to chemical energy.]

Describe two places in which the state of energy changes from potential energy to kinetic energy. Describe how the kinetic energy is released.[anno: Answers may vary but could include that when the weight is sitting on the board, the weight is in a state of potential energy. When the board is lowered, the weight enters a state of kinetic energy and falls downward. When the roller skate is at rest at one end of the board, it is in a state of potential energy. When the board is hit by the baseball, the roller skate enters a state of kinetic energy and moves across the board.]

Think about whether or not this invention saves time or energy. Is this a good invention or a bad invention? Write a few sentences to explain your answer.[anno: Answers will vary but could include that this is not a good invention because there are extra parts to the contraption that are not necessary.]